Tuesday, September 13, 2016

DAGUPAN TO IMPLEMENT "NON-CONFISCATION OF DRIVER’S LICENSE POLICY"

DAGUPAN CITY – The combined forces of Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) and City Action Service Team (CAST) are now implementing a "no confiscation of driver’s license policy" on erring drivers in the city while they are enforcing traffic rules and regulations.

Former police officer Carlito Ocampo, now the city’s chief of POSO and CAST, disclosed that the policy was in effect since his assumption of office as POSO chief after being appointed to the position by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez on September 1.

He, however, issued a stern warning to all drivers of public utility vehicles not to take the policy lightly as this entails a much tedious process of settling their violations with the city.

“While we are deviating from the old practice of license confiscation, we would like to warn our drivers that non-payment of penalty corresponding to their violations will result in the filing of cases in the court against them which will give rise to the possible issuance of a warrant of arrest from the court. This is stiffer than confiscating their license,” said Ocampo.

Ocampo said that from hereon, a driver is issued a citation ticket. The driver has 72 hours to pay the corresponding penalty.

“After the lapse of 72 hours, we will be compelled to forward the citation ticket to the office of the city legal officer which will file the corresponding case before the prosecutor’s office. If the complaint is sufficient in form and substance according to the appreciation of the prosecutor’s office, the case will now be elevated to the court.

Upon receipt of the complaint by the court, the court will issue summon to the erring driver,” said Ocampo.

Ocampo further disclosed that violations of the city’s traffic ordinance falls under summary procedure hence the need for summons.

“But, if they failed to appear on the date and time designated by the court in their summons, the erring drivers may be arrested anytime by way of a warrant of arrest from the court,” said Ocampo. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/Sept. 13, 2016)